Lee FCD vs Dillon taper crimp die

Having finally lost all patience waiting for Midway to restock the Lee FCD I went to the Dillon site to look at what they had. More expensive but at this point I don't care as long as it does the job. So what are the opinions on the Dillon as far as ease of use etc? Thanks

I use 2 of the Dillon Taper crimp dies. 1 for 38 super/.38/357 and one for 223. Well worth the extra $. I also believe that the Dillons do less damage to the bullet.

Grandpa Shooter

March 19, 2008, 11:33 PM

In my opinion it depends on what you are loading. Resizing the brass because you belled it with a powder charging die and taking the bell out is different from actually crimping the case into the bullet or cannelure.

38 and 357 require a good crimp into the bullet, as does 30-30 or any other tubular magazine rifle.

I use the Dillon on straight wall cases to resize them, the LFCD to put a crimp into 30-30.

Quickdraw McGraw

March 20, 2008, 08:10 AM

Having finally lost all patience waiting for Midway to restock the Lee FCD I went to the Dillon site to look at what they had. More expensive but at this point I don't care as long as it does the job. So what are the opinions on the Dillon as far as ease of use etc? Thanks

I just ordered FCD for 223 from Midway on Mar 19th and it will be here on Mar 21 and shipping was cheaper than Midway. Here's a link listing all their FC Dies.

For my rifle cartridges I prefer the FCD. For straight walled pistol cases, of which 40 cal is the one I load the most frequently, the Dillon is my choice.

Since I mostly shoot coated lead bullets in my 40, they are a little larger in diameter than jacketed bullets. Consequently, the FCD's little carbide ring tends to size the case down a little smaller, and this in turn mashes the lead bullets enough to cause leading in my barrel. When I use the Dillon, it only touches the case mouth, and irons out the bell introduced at the charging/belling station on my press. I get no leading when I use the Dillon taper crimper on my 40.

On both the 223 and the 308 where I often load bullets with a canellure, the Lee FCD works very well. I have not tried the Dillon taper crimper in this application as I haven't felt the need. Also the non canellured bullets don't receive a crimp in my rifle cartridges.